In February, a felony traffic stop was made in Valencia after Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station deputies spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen in Anaheim.
Upon questioning, the woman reported that she had purchased the car on craigslist and had the keys and pink slip to prove it. The woman was only detained for a short while, and was released soon after. Detectives do not think she had anything to do with the theft, and is a victim in this case.
According to reports, the car was left in Anaheim with the keys and the pink slip located within, making it easy for a car thief to quickly sell the vehicle to an unsuspecting victim.
This case highlights both the dangers of purchasing things online from private sellers as well as what not to do with your car. Online sites such as craigslist can be a great place to find items for cheap, but they’re also a great place to quickly unload stolen merchandise.
It is always best to ask a lot of questions when purchasing big ticket items like cars, computers, jewelry, etc., online. This tactic can sometimes reveal a shady dealer.
To sum it up, your pink slip and a spare set of keys are two things that you should never leave in your car. The pink slip in the hands of a thief can make it very easy to transfer ownership. And leaving the keys in your vehicle? Well, that is a theft just waiting to happen. Be diligent and keep safe.